SUCCESS STORY
June 30, 2024
Nursing Facility Transition – Lisa’s Story
Lisa, a 64-year-old Saginaw woman, is waiting for her cousin to pop over for a visit. Her dog barks loudly, startled by some racket outside of the window. It seems like such a simple and ordinary afternoon, yet it’s one that she does not take for granted.
Like many of us as we age, Lisa began to notice some health changes. She was having a harder time getting around but kept on working. With a stubborn wound on her leg, routine health checks were important. On a doctor’s visit in October, her physician insisted that she go to the emergency room. Lisa went begrudgingly. It’s a good thing her doctor was so persuasive because her condition was far worse than she realized. She ended up in the hospital with several infections, one of which was life-threatening, others would leave her health compromised. Her body was shutting down. “I’m just that bull-headed. I didn’t realize that I was that sick.”
Fortunately, the infections subsided; but now the healing had to begin. Lisa was not sure what she was going to do. Her home was not accessible, and she didn’t have the support at home that she needed, as her husband had passed away three years prior. Lisa got connected to Disability Network Mid-Michigan through a social worker at the hospital.
Occupational and Physical therapists assisted with the assessment of Lisa’s home. A ramp was needed for home access, wider doorways throughout her home to accommodate a rolling walker, a walk-in shower, and even a lift chair. “Shannon was on top of everything! She pushed me to get what I needed. It was just like a whirlwind for me, and I couldn’t believe how sweet and kind everyone was. Always calling me, checking on it, asking ‘how are things going’?”
Now, her house is accessible, and she can move throughout, where she could not before. She continued working with OT and PT to regain her strength and went back to work in mid-December. “I’m not ready to just give it up and retire; I’m going to work as long as I can.”
Lisa reflected, “I can’t say enough about Disability Network Mid-Michigan. I didn’t know that you guys did this kind of stuff for people. Life had changed pretty considerably for me. And then, not to know, you know, coming home, how you’re going to be supported. It’s been amazing. It’s been an amazing journey. I’m very, very blessed.”
Disability Network Mid-Michigan’s Community Transition Services provide individuals an opportunity to choose community-based living as a viable alternative to nursing facility residency. The program is open to anyone who receives Medicaid. If you know someone interested in living more independently, please contact us today.